Bringing them back- Craig Bellamy?
I know that it is purely speculation and there is nothing that I am aware of to suggest that there will even be an offer made but since it’s the biggest name we’ve been linked with, I thought it would be an idea to find out what people though.
I already have my opinion on Craig Bellamy and for me, it’s no, we shouldn’t be considering him as a signing target.
For that matter, should we ever re-sign former players?
First with Craig, he signed for us for about four months in 2005 and scored seven SPL goals and two in the Scottish Cup.
He came up in 2005, played some excellent football and I was a big fan. The guy had great pace, could beat players, was powerful, could strike with both feet and could make and score goals.
I think it was clear for most of us, that he was maybe a bit too good for the Scottish league and that he was never going to spend any great length of time up here.
I remember him playing up at Tannadice, when he scored all 3 goals in a 3-2 win, after that game, I thought he was as good as we’d had since Larsson and I’m not sure we’ve had as talented a player since. Maybe I am missing some obvious choices, please correct me if I am.
After us, he went to Blackburn, Liverpool and West Ham then got his big money move to Manchester City.
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The Bellamy that I have described above was the Bellamy of 6 years ago, he was 26 years old in his time at Celtic, he is now 31, he’ll be 32 next week, and more likely to be injured and will not have the same pace that he terrorised the the SPL with.
For me, if the board or Neil Lennon are seriously considering Craig Bellamy as a signing, I’d say thanks but no thanks – when he was 26, yes but not now.
Possibly, especially if he is out for say six weeks with hamstring problems while collecting a large amount more money than what some other players are getting paid.
I would prefer to sign another one or two younger players for the same amount that a package for Craig Bellamy would cost, let’s face it does anyone see Bellamy still being an effective striker up until his mid 30’s? I certainly don’t so at best, we’d maybe get two years out of him.
The question of Bellamy brings me on to my next thought, which I’ve asked at the start of this piece, should we ever resign any former players?
Last season, 2 former and current players had some pretty differing fortunes – Shaun Maloney and Charlie Mulgrew. Big Charlie, at the start of the season, was pounced upon quite quickly for any slight error but over time, he proved that he had developed enough to do a job for us.
I know quite a few fans who thought he wasn’t Celtic class and did not want him there at all last year.
Maloney on the other hand, had a bright enough start to the season, got injured, not to be heard of for most of the season which is a shame because I doubt there would be many who would argue that the guy is not a good player when he’s fit.
The reason I’ve highlighted the two above is because I think it would be silly to suggest that an ex player should never return to the club.
Generally, I am of the thought that if a player leaves the club through their own choice e.g. Maloney, Stan Petrov, they should stay away but obviously there would be some exceptions, if Larsson for example wanted to come back a few years ago, I’m sure he would have been welcomed with open arms.
McGeady is a player who left by choice but a lot would take him back. Artur Boruc is another one who I know some folk would be happy to have back (although others, based on previous comments from my pieces, wouldn’t let him near Parkhead again).
A few years ago when Mowbray had his big clear out, the one that I was disappointed to see leave was Barry Robson as I thought he was ideal to give a bit of grit and fight in the midfield but now Kayal offers that plus a lot more.
Are there any former players, still playing, that you would like to see back at the club? Who are they and why do you want them back.
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